It almost got me............spark plug change
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Spring, Tx.
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It almost got me............spark plug change
Well...gorilla hands and arms + long tubes + small confines of a 98 SS = a lot of frustration and bad words. At least, the local neighborhood cat was amused (until I threw the socket wrench at him for laughing at me). Even with taking the first 3 coil packs off the passenger side, I still barely had room to just get my fingers on the back plug - ended up coming up from the bottom to loosen it, then reaching around from the top to fingertip it out, then fingertip a new one back in then another trip back underneath to tighten it (darned cat came back again to ridicule some more also).
Needless to say, it's all back together and actually runs better so despite a few nicks, scrapes and bruises, I'm OK with it - the HOA probably will send me a letter for the foul language, but they'll get over it. I even made friends with the cat again.............................
For those that will say "it's easy", all I can say is 'F' you - I'm 6'6" and 305# and don't fit into those tight spaces easily (but I can reach completely across the engine compartment for that tool that somehow tried to get away from me)
OK, time to go clean the pig now...............
Bird
Needless to say, it's all back together and actually runs better so despite a few nicks, scrapes and bruises, I'm OK with it - the HOA probably will send me a letter for the foul language, but they'll get over it. I even made friends with the cat again.............................
For those that will say "it's easy", all I can say is 'F' you - I'm 6'6" and 305# and don't fit into those tight spaces easily (but I can reach completely across the engine compartment for that tool that somehow tried to get away from me)
OK, time to go clean the pig now...............
Bird
Last edited by Bird; 04-05-2008 at 03:21 PM.
#2
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
God do I know what you mean!!! I had all those problems as well, put it all back together, took it for a spin and it started misfiring (damn iridium plugs). Took it apart put it back together again, same thing, misfiring. Did this 4 times, finally I took those iridium plugs out, put on the same kind I took off and it runs like a champ. I'll never try iridium plugs again!!!!
#6
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Spring, Tx.
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I guess this is one chore where it pays to have little girly, skinny hands and arms...............
Bird
Trending Topics
#9
12 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i dont have skinny girly hands, nor do i have gigantic ape hands. swival sockets and ratchets work wonders. especially with long tubes on the car. I did the last two on the passenger side from underneath.
#10
I could make a killing as a LS1 f-body mechanic... It takes me longer to take the coil packs off than it does to get the plugs out. I get number 8 from behind and around the engine where I maneuver my arm into the space behind the intake and do a reach around...
Also helps I have a socket wrench with a swivel head that's got a long arm for added leverage... it's in the tools...
Also helps I have a socket wrench with a swivel head that's got a long arm for added leverage... it's in the tools...
#15
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Spring, Tx.
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The coilpacks came out pretty quickly - the problem was trying to get this hand that takes a 3XL glove down into that small area or up between the heat shield and long tubes - the heat shield is coming off the next time.
Bird
#16
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The back two on the passenger side do suck.
After 4-5 changes under my belt I can say that I am a pro at the plug change now. For me atleast, putting my knees on the battery helped me alot with the #8. Next time will be much easier. A 1" extension I bought from Sears also helped me alot. The standard 3" is too long.
After 4-5 changes under my belt I can say that I am a pro at the plug change now. For me atleast, putting my knees on the battery helped me alot with the #8. Next time will be much easier. A 1" extension I bought from Sears also helped me alot. The standard 3" is too long.
Last edited by E V I L; 04-07-2008 at 10:51 AM.